This week we learn more about the USDF L Education Program with L Graduate with Distinction Renee Carter and L Program Faculty Member Marilyn Heath, and we start our education series from the 2017 Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention with part 1 of prohibited substances in feeds and supplements.

Eileen Phethean, is Kentucky Equine Research’s Chief Operating Officer. She received her B.S. in Animal Science and her MBA from the University of Kentucky and has enjoyed a lifelong association with horses.

This week USEF Large R Technical Delegate and Co-chair of the US Equestrian Dressage Sport Committee Lisa Gorretta joins us to talk about the newest USEF rule changes and FEI 4* Judge Charlotte Bredahl-Baker shares her tips on preparing for show season.

Lilo Fore, Santa Rosa, CA, is a recently retired FEI 5* and Para 3* Judge. She is a licensed USEF "S" and DSHB "R" dressage judge. Lilo is a founder of the USDF Instructor/Trainer Program and is the current chair of the Instructor /Trainer Committee and 2017 Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame Inductee.

Johann Hinnemann is recognized worldwide as a trainer and coach, having served as Canada's team trainer and German National Coach, alongside Klaus Balkenhol. His student roster reads like a "Who's Who" of Olympic medalists and various national champions, including Steffen Peters, Coby van Baalen, Marlies van Baalen, Ulla Salzgeber, and Heiki Kemmer.

This week Laura Graves joins us to talk about Verdades being named 2017 Adequan®/USDF Grand Prix Horse of the Year and Sandy Venneman talks about training from the horses' point of view.

Laura Graves, Geneva, FL, and Verdades earned an individual silver medal and team gold medal at the Pan American Games. They also were members of the bronze medal-winning U.S. Dressage Team at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Verdades, owned and ridden by Laura Graves was named 2017 Adequan®/USDF Grand Prix Horse of the Year. Verdades' median score of 79.940 percent made him the top horse in the United States competing at this level.

Sandy Venneman, PhD, Sealy, TX, is an experimental psychologist, with a lifetime teaching certificate in secondary education, Sandy combines psychology with 40 years experience riding to help equestrians reach their potential. Coaching riders in the use of psychology to improve their riding, she instructs and gives mounted and un-mounted clinics nationwide.

This week FEI 5* Judge Janet Foy joins us to share her tips on getting the most points as possible in your dressage tests and we have some excerpts from previous interviews with Beth Baumert, Michael Bragdell, Stephen Clark, and Scott Hassler.

Janet Foy, Wellington, FL, is an FEI 5* Dressage and Young Horse judge, a USEF S Dressage judge, and a USEF R Sport Horse Breeding judge. She is a USDF L Education Program faculty member; a USEF Dressage Committee member; and a member of the USDF Judges and L Program Committees. She is the author of Dressage for the Not-So-Perfect Horse and Dressage Questions and Answers.

USDF President George Williams joins us to wrap up the 2017 Adequan®/ USDF Convention and we have an interview from our archives with Laura Graves.

Laura Graves, Geneva, FL, and Verdades earned an individual silver medal and team gold medal at the Pan American Games. They also were members of the bronze medal-winning U.S. Dressage Team at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Verdades, owned and ridden by Laura Graves, was named 2017 Adequan®/USDF Grand Prix Horse of the Year. Verdades' median score of 79.940 percent made him the top horse in the United States competing at this level.

George Williams, Wellington, FL, has served as the USDF President since 2010. He is also a competitor, trainer, and clinician. He is a USEF Youth Coach and serves on multiple USEF committees.

Adult Amateur -Taryn Anderson joins us to share her US Dressage Finals experience and in our education segment, USEF Senior Dressage Judge and L Program Faculty member Kathy Rowse focuses on the simple change of lead.

Kathy Rowse, Suffolk, VA, owns and operates Silverleaf Farm with her husband Mike. Kathy is a USEF “S” Dressage Judge, USDF L Program faculty member, and member of the USEF Youth Committee. She is a USDF Gold, Silver, and Bronze medalist who has coached numerous students to their USDF medals.

USDF Region 2 Director Ken Levy joins us to talk about the annual convention coming to Lexington Kentucky. Get a preview of the business meetings and a preview of the education sessions that will be available to all attendees.

Eileen Phethean is Kentucky Equine Research’s Chief Operating Officer. She received her B.S. in animal science and her MBA from the University of Kentucky. She has enjoyed a lifelong association with horses and earned her A rating with the United States Pony Club.

Hallye Griffin, Managing Director of Dressage for US Equestrian, attended Transylvania University in Lexington, KY., and majored in Political Science. Hallye grew up riding in the United States Pony Club and competing in the discipline of Eventing.

September is National Preparedness Month, so this week we are focusing on how to be prepared to deal with extreme weather. Dr. Michele Frazer from Hagyard Equine Medical Institute stopped by the USDF office to talk about how to be prepared for the most common natural disasters. Mark Coley from US Equestrian joins us to talk about the USEF Equine Disaster relief fund and we have an excerpt from a convention education session on dealing with emergencies featuring Dr. Laura Werner.

Dr. Michele Frazer DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC, Lexington, KY, joined Hagyard Equine Medical Institute as an Internal Medicine Specialist in 2004. She has a particular interest in critical care medicine and regularly speaks at nationally recognized meetings including the AAEP and ACVIM forums and publishes in veterinary journals.

Laura Werner DVM, MS, DACVS, Lexington, KY, joined Hagyard Equine Medical Institute as a Surgery Associate in the Davidson Surgery Center in 2011. She has worked as an FEI Veterinary Delegate at some of the top Three-Day eventing competitions in the United States.

This week we announce winners of USDF service awards and learn more about American Dressage Legend, Liz Searle. We have tips on lateral work from Lilo Fore, and part two of our series on the mind/body connection with Sandy Venneman.

Liselotte (Lilo) Fore, Santa Rosa, CA, is a USEF "S" dressage and Young Horse Judge, a USEF "R" Dressage Sport Horse Breeding Judge, and retired FEI 5* Dressage and FEI 3* Para-Equestrian Dressage Judge. Lilo was a founding member of the USDF Instructor/Trainer Program and still serves an examiner and instructor along with being co-chair for the committee.

Sandy Venneman PhD, Sealy, TX, is an experimental psychologist, with a lifetime teaching certificate in secondary education, Sandy combines psychology with 40 years experience riding to help equestrians reach their potential. Coaching riders in the use of psychology to improve their riding, she instructs and gives mounted and un-mounted clinics nationwide.